Cardinals defend home turf

WILLMAR - Hallsey Olson collected 18 digs as Brainerd dropped a Central Lakes Conference match to the Willmar Cardinals 3-1 Thursday.

After winning the first set 25-19 the Warriors lost the next three sets 25-12, 25-13, 25-15.

"Set one was the kind of volleyball we need," Warrior coach Jared Diem said. "It was tough, smart, confident and was filled with lots of energy and just was a great team set."

"Our serves received after that first set went downhill and we couldn't rebound from that. Tess Rahto had a great game and had the magic hand for us and never stopped cheering her teammates on. I hope the positive energy that we had in that first set carries into next week and the rest of the season."

Rahto tallied six kills and two blocks. Alanna Hansen tallied 17 set assists and six digs.

Willmar 19 25 25 25

Brainerd 25 12 13 15

Brainerd statistics

Hallsey Olson 18 digs, 1 ace serve

Carlie Sweet 3 digs, 1 block

Alanna Hansen 6 digs, 3 blocks, 17 set assists, 1 kill

Trisha Kramer 6 digs, 1 block, 1 ace serve, 1 set assist, 2 kills

Sydnie Mauch 1 dig, .5 blocks, 3 kills

Alice Widmark 7 digs, 1.5 blocks, 2 ace serves

Mikinzie Hradsky 3 digs, 1 set assist

Tess Rahto 1 dig, 2 blocks, 1 set assists, 6 kills

Allison Mueller 1 dig, 8 blocks, 1 ace serve, 1 set assist, 4 kills

Hannah Kangas 2 digs, 3 set assists

Conference: Brd 2-7. Overall: Brd 8-12. Next: Brainerd hosts Little Falls 7 p.m. Tuesday.